South Ostrobothnia Folk High School (Thu 14.05.09 am)

THE MOG BLOG continues...

So, after the JIBBO centre, we moved on to the folk high school, about five minutes away:

A really impressive building and grounds, especially in the lovely weather!

This is a private (fee paying) school that offers a vocational youth work qualification. This qualification is free and is recognised as a national youth work qualification in youth work.

The training is very much "on the job", so if anyone is considering providing a placement for a worker, this is the place to start.

I won't go into too much detail as to the programmes on offer here as all the info you need can be found using the link above. However, if you're interested in offering a placement to Finnish students just get in touch with me.

For me, the really intersting point that came out of this visit was around age. The course is aimed at 14-19 year olds and Satu (Teacher, Educational Subjects) expressed some concern at people of this age choosing a career who's main area of work is aimed at themselves.

In Wales, with the development and introsduction of the degree course in youth and community work, there may well be a similar issue as we see more and more young people choosing youth work as a career option withouht, perhaps, the experience to back it up.

As Satu expressed, it can be difficult for younger people to fully appreciate a youth work situation without relevant, professional experience. The paralell here in Wales can often mean there is a disparity between those with the experience and insight and those with the qualification.

Another point that junps out at me from this is the inclusion (and once again the mutual exclusivity) of youth work as part of the wider vocation of information work. Here in Wales, it is often the case that workers are given the guidelines and mantra of youth work as to "offer information, advice and guidance" without necessarily investigating and exploring the implications and reach of "information".

Of course there are arguments on both sides and the very fact that a national qualification that raises the profile of youth work is by no means the least important. However, I certainly feel that there is always room for reflection and actoion based on that reflection in order to improve the quality of our services.

I hope this is a discussion that will go on.

JIBBO - Ilmajoki (Thu 14.05.09 am)

THE MOG BLOG continues...

JIBBO is the youth information and counselling umbrella organisation for the region and we visited a centre set just within the grounds of a school in Ilmajoki (just down the road from Seinajoki).

This is a great information centre with really friendly youth work staff who are pro-actively providing information services to young people in the area.

There were a couple of points that came up during our brief visit here which I think are very applicable to work here in Wales and maybe in the wider world of youth information work.

The first was the concept of working in schools. Oh yes, the classic situation where, even though this particular information centre is within the school grounds, there has been some resistance to information provision. I think, from listening to the staff, it's a matter of understanding the relevance of information and how it can be mutually beneficial for workers, teachers and young people. The staff at the centre expressed how it has been a struggle for the last year or so to be "accepted" by the formal educators and has required a pro-active approach in terms of engagement with the school to promote the value and importance of information work.

However, it would seem that the work is paying dividends for both the school and the information centre with mutual referrals and signposting as well as the opportunity for joined up workshops and events. I feel that this example really shows how information work can be a "seasonal" venture (e.g. providing pro-active information depending on the time of year; info around exams perhaps?) as well as a preventative service (e.g. providing pro-active information relating to monitoring of enquiries; providing workshops/specialists in response to an increase in enquiries around housing/bullying etc.).

The second point raised concerned my ongoing internal ethical discussion around the often mutual exclusivity of information work vs issue based/traditional youth work. The staff here felt that their information work was very much a "part" of their youth work, a part of their working week when they were required to provide purely information work.

For me, youth work is very much a part of information work; it's all about how you see and reflect on the way you work and the methods you employ dependent on the situation that arises. Now, I don't want to start going on about praxis, Friere and so on as that's for another post, but I'm really becoming fascinated with youth work approaches and the inclusion or otherwise of the wider field of youth information work that harnesses and encompasses many youth work based approaches.

Although this was very much a flying visit, it did provoke a lot of debate for me which I hope will provide some comments here.

More info on JIBBO HERE (Finnish only)

Seinajoki youth dept (Wed 13.05.09 pm)

THE MOG BLOG continues...

So after some 4 hours on the bus we arrived in the city of Senajoki. The journey was long although it did provide an opportunity to witness the Finnish landscape. For me (I'm just a boy form the Welsh valleys like innit?) it was very flat. I'm not used to flat and the expanse of flatness was something to behold. It also struck me that Finland, in general, seems to be a rural place with great distances between major towns and cities. For this reason young people board at schools and so, during school times the major centres can be very busy although during holidays the centres are relatively empty.

The youth dept of the city and region of Seinajoki sees all young people (those under 30 in accordance with the Finnish Youth Act) as "active operators in a tolerant and cultural town".

I really liked this description; it puts a really positive slant on young people and along with a commitment to developing culture and business as well as multi cultural and sustainable development in the town demonstrates a sense of community development with relationships at it's heart.

The youth dept talks about tapping into the "energy" of the young people, joined up working and utilising "stages" to showcase the talents of young people. This concept of participation and engagement within the community in order to encourage community cohesion and pride seems to be reflected in the way that young people from the region will return to settle down after school/college/university. There's definitely a sense of pride in Seinajoki.

I think that the "brain drain" we often see in other countries where young people take their skills elsewhere and do not return to invest in their own communities, is not so apparent here and the youth dept seems to be encouraging this attitude through community events such as the annual "Provinssirock" rock festival (Link to the English page).

Interestingly, once again the issue of "online youth work" popped up as the youth dept are calling for more youth workers to spend time in online counselling fora. This once more demonstrates the falling number of face to face enquiries and the need to go to "where young people are"; surely a pre-requisite of the youth worker? This opened up a great deal of debate (at least in my head) as to where the line is and reminded me of some of the discussions over on UK youth work online (LINK) where these issues are able to be discussed openly and hopefully inform policy over here.

I think this recurring theme in Finland has given me something to bring back to Wales and discuss with the Information Workers Network. I'd be interested to receive any comments around this issue, whether in Wales the UK or other countries. Hmmm.

In conclusion, I felt there was a real energy and motivation within the youth dept in Seinajoki and despite universal issues of staffing, time and resources the centre seemed busy, running dance and ballet programmes, arts and crafts etc. as well as a space for general information work.

More info on Seinajoki youth dept HERE.

Visit to Kompassi youth information centre (Wed 13.05.09 am)

THE MOG BLOG continues...

So, obviously I'm writing this now in retrospect as it's been a bit manic over the last few days.


Wednesday morning found us visiting the youth information centre at Kompassi in Helsinki (www.kompassi.info) which is a youth information centre established around 1983 and providing general information for 13-25s.

Kompassi seems to be very much THE info point in Helsinki and with a great deal of experience behind them offer a range of information services both on and off line, including; phone help lines, publications, web services, 7 computers with free internet access, information workshops, drop in facilities, referrals and signposting and media/information literacy.

Kompassi's web pages offer a novel service called trouble shooting corner where young people can post queries anonymously which are guaranteed to be answered within 5 days by a youth info worker. The queries (and responses) are open for debate and comment on the site by other users and offer a forum for discussion. With an apparent fall in face to face enquiries, Kompassi feel investment in these online counselling services to be the future of youth information work in Finland.

Coupled with this, Kompassi offer training and support for other young people to become online peer counsellors/advisers. Training includes ethical issues and moderation of queries that allow a peer led approach through an online forum that reaches across Finland.

Along with the trouble shooting corner, Kompassi have also been involved with a larger scale project involving online counselling within the SNS world. I don't remember the name of the site (Elias, can you help me out?) but it's very much the Finnish equivalent of facebook; a place where young people are. Information workers along with other professionals (police, social services etc.) hold "online surgeries" or chat fora where young people can query and receive advice directly.

The interesting part of this from my point of view is the eagerness of the Finns to reach out (to do outreach work) where young people are, even if that place is online. It seems obvious to me that if there are less face to face information enquiries, that doesn't mean there is less need for youth information work. Young people are just "somewhere else"; online. Maybe if we took more of a youth work approach to working with young people online in the UK?

There was a final point I wanted to make with regard to Kompassi and that is around the indexing/classification of information. Now, no doubt, you guys here in Wales are completely familiar with the concept and appreciate the benefits and advantages it can bring, however in Finland there seems to be no universal indexing system. In Kompassi though there is a comprehensive info index system both on and off line.

That made me very happy!!! But then these thing do!!!

In conclusion, Kompassi was a fantastic example of an information centre that is developing and moving and adapting while still being able to draw on a rich history and experience in information work.

I think it's a real model information resource where the workers really seem to appreciate the role of information in youth work and it's unique approach.

Busy busy busy...

THE MOG BLOG continues...

Yep I know it's been a couple of days but it's been absolutely flat out and I will DEFINITELY post some reports on some of wicked places we've seen and the things we've done when I get a chance.

Suffice to say I hope you like moomins as much as the Belgians seem to...

(Yep..."in joke")

Visit to CIMO (Centre for International Mobility)

THE MOG BLOG continues...

So, after a great luncheon at Allianssi with their fantastic facilities (really liked the layout of the library and info services) we take a tram over to the Centre for International Mobility (CIMO).

What fantastic building! I found the coolest green chairs inside:

CIMO (est 1991) is the national organisation promoting cross cultural communication and mobility, including international projects such as youth in action, life long learning programme, Erasmus, DaVinci etc. as well as offering information, advice, guidance and training regarding international mobility.

CIMO is also responsible for the marketing and PR realting to HE recruitment in Finland as well as overeeing a network of Finnish lectures in HE and FE establishments across the globe.

In terms of INFO work, I found this organisation to be an excellent eample of almost pure enquiry based INFO work, which I hope will help me during my presentation of Canllaw Online's INFO work on Friday (I'll post a link somewhere).

CIMO provide INFO on an enquiry basis regarding the various projects mentioned above as well as enquiries involving other cross cultural issues such as studying and volunteering abroad through signposting, referral and printed materials. As well as face to face work CIMO deals with e-queris via email and the website (www.studyinfinland.fi).

It struck me as a "classic" INFO scenario where monitoring and evaluation inform CIMO of trends/needs as well as the production of some pro-active INFO, such as guides for Finnish young people which are distributed to guidance counsellors, schools and youth workers containing outline information as well as ideas for lesson plans/activities that promote and encourage analysis of cross cultural exchange and study.

CIMO also have good relationships with "expert" organisations (such as Fulbright who specialise in exchenages and studying in America/Canada) and feel that there is no such thing as a stupid question: They had a call from South Africa regarding a dead bird that some guys found that had a ring around it's leg that said "Finland". They wanted to know what they should do.

This unconditional personal regard (UPR) is an essential part of INFO work for me.

CIMO also offer advice and guidance on effective internet searches for cross cultural experiences and are pro actively present at student fayres both nationally and internationally.

"Euroguidance" is also housed under the umbrella of CIMO. This network for guidance counsellors, employment advisors and youth workers aims to support practioners and professionals in the field through training, information and advice, publications and the website, in the field of cross cultural communication and mobility.

There is a Euroguidance centre in every country of the EU that can offer this networking opportunity as well as other opportunities for training, study visits and exchanges.

In conclusion, I feel it was great to see all this INFO in one place, under one organisation with a clear aim to provide information in an enquiry based scenario.

Really cool building too!

Righ I'm off for a drink!!!

Visit to Allianassi (Finnish Youth Co-operation)

THE MOG BLOG continues...

So the REAL today is Tuesday 12th May 2009. Last night was great; hetting to know each other etc. although it's nearly high summer here, so there's hardly any dark. A bit like that film "Insomnia" with Al Pacino and Robin Williams, except it's really nice in Helsinki.

Anyway this morning after having a weird dream where i had got up late and missed today's visits, I woke up and found I hadn't missed them at all.

So let's begin with our visit to Alliansi (Being Different Together), the national youth work organisation in Finland (est.1993) which supports over 3,400 youth workers in the field as well as 1200 member youth organisations across the country.

Quick Overview

So the vast majority of organinsations engaging and working with young peolple in Finland are members of Alliansi, which aims to support and develop youth work practice regionally, nationally and internationally.

The main focus of the organisation is to represent and lobby for the rights of both young people and those who support them through influencing and lobbying government in order to influence policy and the direction of youth work nationally.

Alliansi also offers a range of services to member organisations and the young people they represent through education and training and major seminars in youth work such as the Alliansi Cruise ( a youth work seminar on a boat!!!).

Multi cultural and minority work and the strive towards equality in youth work in the face of an ever changing demographic pushes Alliansi onward to provide resources and training for youth work organisations in order to promote equality of opportunity and representation.

Collaborative project work with organisations representing minority groups as well as networking can promote a sense of belonging and a feeling of being part of a national strategy; Alliansi is leading the way in this ongoing process in Finland which encourages mutual learning and understanding.

Other activities include:

• youth elections which are connected to parliamentary elections which encourages participation and develops an interest and understanding of politics and democracy. Alliansi have also been campaigning and lobbying to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 years.

• A magazine for professionals in the field (published 8 times a year)

• A library and Information Service for young people (NOTE: young people in Finland are those under 30 years as defined by The Youth Act).

• Youth Exchanges

• Member European Youth Forum (YFJ), ERYICA and the member organisation for EYCA (European Youth Card Association)

More info: ENGLISH
FINNISH

YOUTH PARTICIPATION AND ALLIANSI

Alliansi has a range of youth participation projects that it supports including:

• Youth Councils
• Youth Parliament
  
• Youth Forums
• A national Board of Youth Councils

But perhaps the most intriguing is a participation project run by Alliansi at www.valtikka.fi

This project actively promotes citizenship, E-democracy and politics by offering a discussion platform for young people involved, plus those who work with young people by offering lesson plans and other resources.

Also included on the website is a search engine realsted directly to upcoming EU elections. Young people can use this site to engage with parliament and each other in an on and offline environment.

EDUCATION METHODS

"The Living Library"
This model comes from Denmark as a reaction to issues around racist violence and aims to break down prejudice and promote equality by encouraging participants to engage in dialogue with those whom they rarely have the opportunity to to talk to.

The model centers on the "living book" who is a volunteer with a paticular story/experience/background (plus support and training prior to the event) that can be "borrowed" by participants through the facilitation of a "librarian", who has a "catalogue" of "books" (topics/issues).

This encourages the "reader" to "borrow" "books" relating to issues that directly affect them and thus provide an opportunity discuss those issues directly; face to face.

There are a few rules:

• Based on mutual respect
• The "reader" must return the "book" in the same physical and mental condition as it was "borrowed".
• The "book" can end the discussion at any time.

The "borrowing" lasts 20mins-1 hour and is facilitated by the "librarian". The "reader" then completes an evaluation form.

More complete information on this model at living-library.org

GAIA - Assembly of the Nations

This is a role playing game based around the themes of human rights, diversity, democracy, decision making, the environment, peace, equality and development.

The game features a parallel planet Earth (Gaia) which must be prevented from total destruction by the Assembly of Nations (the players) who must find common and agreeable solutions to the problems that the planet faces.

Full manual and game cards available at www.keks.fi/gaiaenglish (ENGLSIH VERSION)

YOUNG CULTURE

This festival project is housed within Alliansi and was developed from the young people's Art Festival established in 1970.

It comprises of two national festivals as well as 20-30 regional festivals across Finland which provide opportunities for young people to showcase their talent and receive feedback from professional artists.

In 2008 there were more than 18000 participants nationally and as a result of the festivals some young people were able to take up the opportunity to travel as far as China and Trinidad and Tobago.

The aim for 2010 is to establish this cultural youth work as a part of every city's basic youth work.

A great line: "Young people should be seen and heard"

CONCLUSIONS

I must say I was extremely impressed with the strength and depth of Alliansi with regard to national, regional and international youth work.

For me, the model of the living library is something that will definitely be happening in Wales.

There seems to be a real serious intent in terms of both youth work professionals and the government here to promote, celebrate and encourage youth participation and engagement.

Many thanx to all there who have given such inspiration.